Illinois Pregnancy Centers Challenge Law Forcing Them to Promote Abortion
Pregnancy centers in Illinois are challenging a law signed in January that forces medical professionals to refer for and promote abortions:
The controversial state law went into effect in January. It amended the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act by requiring that medical professionals tell women about abortion options and refer patients to doctors who perform abortions. It also requires health care workers to describe the so-called “benefits” of abortion to their patients.
Those who refuse to comply could face malpractice lawsuits and discipline from state licensing boards. ...
... In February, Thomas Olp, attorney for the Thomas More Society, commented on the legal challenges: “This law targets pro-life pregnancy centers, which do not refer for abortion, and whose pro-life mission is to advise clients of alternatives to abortion. The new law requires these pro-life centers, and only them, to discuss ‘benefits’ of abortion with their clients and to name abortion providers upon request. This is the essence of forced government speech prohibited by the free speech provisions of our federal and state constitutions.”
A challenge against a similar law is also underway in California. While advocates of such laws clain that failing to provide information on abortion violates women's rights, in the following article two health care professionals explain that "freedom of conscience is essential for a health-care worker and protects the rights of the patient, the health-care worker and society as a whole."
Conscience Leads to More Complete Support for Women in New Zealand
By Cushla Hassan, RN & Joseph Hassan, MBchB
A year ago, Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand published Rose Stewart’s challenging article, “Conscience ‘not always a force for good’,” giving her perspective on conscience and health care.[1]
In the article, Stewart expressed her concern that health professionals who invoke their conscientious objection to abortion or contraception risk infringing the rights of women to reproductive health care. She argued “conscience is not always a force for good.”
In this article, we suggest freedom of conscience is essential for a health-care worker and protects the rights of the patient, the health-care worker and society as a whole.
As health-care workers, we bring ourselves as whole persons to our important role. We are present as real people, not robots. Our background, culture, beliefs, and especially conscience, will and should, affect how we care for our patients.
Continue reading this article
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Learn More:
Public Support for Pregnancy Centers That Aid Women and Unborn Children
The Truth About Crisis Pregnancy Centers: CareNet Report
Abortion Has No Benefits, But Does Have Risks
Get Help:
Pregnancy Help and Resources
Pregnancy Help Worldwide
Center Against Forced Abortions
Help & Healing After Abortion
Help After Abortion Worldwide
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